Power transmission device for vehicle

Abstract

A power transmission device for a vehicle includes: a differential gear that distributes power from a power source to left and right drive wheels; left and right drive shafts provided on a power transmission path between the differential gear and the left and right drive wheels; and an elastic member provided on the power transmission path and sandwiched between the differential gear or a first member that is integrally coupled to the differential gear and the drive shaft or a second member that is integrally coupled to the drive shaft. Thus, vibration transmission caused by a forced force in the thrust direction of the drive shaft can be reduced, and thus vibration of a vehicle floor caused by the forced force in the thrust direction of the drive shaft can be reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a power transmission device for a vehicle, which includes a drive shaft that transmits power from a differential gear to the drive wheels. Background Technology

[0002] A known vehicle power transmission device includes: a differential gear that distributes power from a power source to the left and right drive wheels; and left and right drive shafts disposed on the power transmission path between the differential gear and the drive wheels. For example, the vehicle described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-292120 is such a vehicle, which discloses a structure in which the drive shafts are connected to the differential gear by engaging the side gear splines.

[0003] However, in the vehicle described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-292120, the differential gear and drive shaft are rigidly connected by a spline engagement, making it difficult to absorb vibrations transmitted in the power transmission path. Therefore, it is difficult to suppress the transmission of vibrations caused by the forced force in the direction of the drive shaft's thrust, i.e., the direction of the rotation axis. Utility Model Content

[0004] This disclosure was made against the background described above, and its purpose is to provide a power transmission device for a vehicle that can reduce vehicle floor vibration caused by the forced force in the thrust direction of the drive shaft.

[0005] The vehicle power transmission device disclosed herein includes: a differential gear that distributes power from a power source to a left drive wheel and a right drive wheel; and a left drive shaft and a right drive shaft disposed on a power transmission path between the differential gear and the left drive wheel and the right drive wheel. The vehicle power transmission device further includes an elastic member disposed on the power transmission path and clamped between the differential gear or a first member and the drive shaft or a second member, wherein the first member is integrally connected to the differential gear and the second member is integrally connected to the drive shaft.

[0006] The vehicle power transmission device according to this disclosure further includes an elastic member disposed in the power transmission path between the differential gear and the drive wheel. This elastic member is a component clamped between the differential gear or a first component and the drive shaft or a second component, the first component being integrally connected to the differential gear and the second component being integrally connected to the drive shaft. This suppresses the transmission of vibration caused by the forced force in the thrust direction of the drive shaft. Therefore, vehicle floor vibration caused by the forced force in the thrust direction of the drive shaft can be reduced. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram illustrating the general structure of a vehicle employing the power transmission device for vehicles disclosed herein.

[0008] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the connection structure between the differential gear and the drive shaft.

[0009] Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C This is a schematic diagram illustrating other examples of the connection structure between the differential gear and the drive shaft, which is similar to... Figure 2 The bonding structures shown are different, among which, Figure 3A An example of a combined structure that separates the fastening and damping functions is shown; Figure 3B An example of a combined structure that can use springs to retain axial force is shown; Figure 3C An example of a combined structure is shown that can be clamped by plates to prevent loosening and protect the internal structure. Detailed Implementation

[0010] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example

[0011] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the general structure of vehicle 10, which adopts the vehicle power transmission device 16 (hereinafter referred to as power transmission device 16) disclosed herein. Figure 1 In this vehicle 10, a power source 12, a left drive wheel 14L and a right drive wheel 14R, and a power transmission device 16 disposed on the power transmission path between the power source 12 and the left drive wheel 14L and the right drive wheel 14R. The power source 12 is, for example, an engine, which is a known internal combustion engine. The power source 12 may also be based on or replace an engine using an electric motor, which is a known rotary electric motor. The drive wheels 14 include a left drive wheel 14L and a right drive wheel 14R. Furthermore, the aforementioned "left" and "right" refer to left and right relative to the forward direction of the vehicle 10.

[0012] The power transmission device 16 includes a countershaft gear mechanism 20, a countershaft 22, an end-drive gear 24, and a differential gear 26 within a housing 18. The housing 18 is a non-rotating component mounted on the vehicle body. The power transmission device 16 also includes a left drive shaft 28L and a right drive shaft 28R positioned along the power transmission path between the differential gear 26 and the left drive wheel 14L and the right drive wheel 14R. The countershaft gear mechanism 20 is a gear pair having a drive gear 20a and a driven gear 20b meshing with the drive gear 20a. The drive gear 20a is connected to the power source 12, for example, directly or via a transmission (not shown). The driven gear 20b is connected to the end-drive gear 24 via the countershaft 22. The end-drive gear 24 meshes with the differential ring gear 30 of the differential gear 26. The drive shaft 28 includes a left drive shaft 28L and a right drive shaft 28R. The drive shaft 28 transmits power from the differential gear 26 to the drive wheels 14. The power transmission device 16 transmits power from the power source 12 to the drive wheel 14.

[0013] The differential gear 26 includes a differential ring gear 30, a differential housing 32, a left differential side gear 34L and a right differential side gear 34R, a differential pinion 36, a pinion shaft 38, and a left differential shaft portion 40L and a right differential shaft portion 40R. The differential ring gear 30 is integrally connected to the outside of the differential housing 32. The differential ring gear 30 and the differential housing 32 are input rotating components that receive power from the power source 12. The differential housing 32 is rotatably supported relative to the housing 18 via bearings (not shown). The differential housing 32 is a housing that houses the left differential side gear 34L and the right differential side gear 34R, the differential pinion 36, and the pinion shaft 38, etc.

[0014] The differential side gear includes a left gear 34L and a right gear 34R. The differential side gear has splines formed on the inner circumferential surface of a through-hole, in which the differential shaft portion is non-rotatably engaged. The differential shaft portion 40 includes a left differential shaft portion 40L and a right differential shaft portion 40R. The differential shaft portion 40 has splines formed on the outer circumferential surface of its end on the differential side gear side, and is non-rotatably engaged with the inner circumferential surface of the differential side gear. The end of the differential shaft portion 40 on the drive shaft 28 side is rotatably engaged with a through-hole 32a formed in the differential housing 32.

[0015] The differential pinion 36 meshes with the left differential side gear 34L and the right differential side gear 34R. The differential pinion 36 is rotatably supported on the pinion shaft 38. The pinion shaft 38 is embedded in a through hole (not shown) formed in the differential housing 32 and is fixedly mounted on the differential housing 32 without relative rotation.

[0016] The left differential side gear 34L and the right differential side gear 34R are a pair of output rotating components from which the power input to the differential housing 32 is distributed. The differential gear 26 is a differential device that distributes power from the power source 12 to the left drive wheel 14L and the right drive wheel 14R and allows the left and right differential rotation of the left drive wheel 14L and the right drive wheel 14R.

[0017] However, when the differential gear 26 is rigidly engaged with the drive shaft 28, vibrations transmitted in the power transmission path are difficult to absorb. Therefore, it is difficult to suppress the transmission of vibrations caused by the forced force in the thrust direction of the drive shaft 28. Therefore, in the power transmission device 16, an elastic member 70 (see later description) is used to sandwich between the differential gear 26 and the drive shaft 28. Figure 2 The combination structure of ).

[0018] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the connection structure between the differential gear 26 and the drive shaft 28. Figure 2 The drive shaft 28 is shown Figure 1 The right drive shaft 28R in the middle, and Figure 1 The structure of the left drive shaft 28L and the connection structure between the differential gear 26 and the left drive shaft 28L are basically the same. Therefore, in Figure 2 The labels for each attached figure are marked without distinguishing between left and right.

[0019] exist Figure 2 In this configuration, the drive shaft 28 includes an intermediate shaft 50, a first connector 52, and a second connector 54. The intermediate shaft 50 is the power transmission shaft that transmits power from the differential gear 26 to the drive wheel 14. The first connector 52 is a constant velocity universal joint and is an inner connector that connects to the input side of the intermediate shaft 50, i.e., the end on the differential gear 26 side, via a spline engagement. The second connector 54 is a constant velocity universal joint and is an outer connector that connects to the output side of the intermediate shaft 50, i.e., the end on the drive wheel 14 side, via a spline engagement.

[0020] The outer ring 54a of the second connector 54 has a wheel axle portion 56, which is configured to protrude toward the drive wheel 14 and toward the direction of rotation axis. A wheel hub bearing 58 of the vehicle 10 is fitted onto the wheel axle portion 56 by spline engagement, and the wheel hub bearing 58 is connected to the drive wheel 14. The wheel axle portion 56 is connected to the drive wheel 14 via the wheel hub bearing 58.

[0021] The drive shaft 28 also includes corrugated covers 60 and 62 made of soft resin material. The opening between the intermediate shaft 50 and the outer ring 52a of the first connector 52 is covered by the cover 60. The larger diameter end of the cover 60 is fitted around the outer ring 52a, and the smaller diameter end is fitted into the intermediate shaft 50. The opening between the intermediate shaft 50 and the outer ring 54a of the second connector 54 is covered by the cover 62. The larger diameter end of the cover 62 is fitted around the outer ring 54a, and the smaller diameter end is fitted into the intermediate shaft 50.

[0022] A flange 64 extending radially outward is integrally formed on the end of the outer ring 52a of the first connector 52 on the side of the differential gear 26. A connecting member 66 is integrally formed on the end of the differential shaft portion 40 on the side of the drive shaft 28. The diameter of the connecting member 66 is larger than the diameter of the end and has the same diameter as the flange 64. The connecting member 66 can be considered as part of the differential gear 26, or as a first component integrally connected to the differential gear 26. The flange 64 can be considered as part of the drive shaft 28, or as a second component integrally connected to the drive shaft 28.

[0023] The power transmission device 16 also includes an elastic member 70, which is disposed in the power transmission path between the differential gear 26 and the drive wheel 14 (in this embodiment, the same applies to the drive shaft 28) and is clamped between the connecting member 66 and the flange 64. The elastic member 70 is, for example, made of rubber or a resin-coated material. The elastic member 70 is fastened by bolts 72 in a clamped state between the connecting member 66 and the flange 64.

[0024] Figures 3A to 3C This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the connection structure between the differential gear 26 and the drive shaft 28, which is related to... Figure 2 The bonding structures shown are different. Figure 3A An example of a combined structure that separates the fastening and damping functions is shown. Figure 3B An example of a combined structure that can use a spring to maintain axial force is shown. Figure 3C An example of a combined structure is shown that can be clamped by plates to prevent loosening and protect the internal structure.

[0025] exist Figure 3A In this process, the elastic component 80 is sandwiched between the first plate 82 and the second plate 84 by means of vulcanization, pressing, or bonding, etc., using rubber, resin-coated material, etc. The elastic component 80, the first plate 82, and the second plate 84 are formed into a single plate and are fastened by bolts 86, 88, etc., in a state of being sandwiched between the differential gear 26 and the drive shaft 28.

[0026] exist Figure 3BIn this configuration, the elastic member 90, together with the spring 92, is secured by bolts 94 between the differential gear 26 and the drive shaft 28. The elastic member 90 is, for example, made of rubber, resin-coated material, etc.

[0027] exist Figure 3C In this configuration, the elastic member 100 is sandwiched between the differential gear 26 and the drive shaft 28, and is held together by the plate 102 along with the differential gear 26 and the drive shaft 28. The elastic member 100, the differential gear 26, and the drive shaft 28 are fastened together by bolts 104 or the like while sandwiched between the plates 102. The elastic member 100 is, for example, made of rubber, resin-coated material, etc.

[0028] As described above, according to this embodiment, an elastic member 70 is further provided in the power transmission path between the differential gear 26 and the drive wheel 14. The elastic member 70 is a member clamped between the connecting member 66 and the flange portion 64. This suppresses the transmission of vibration caused by the forced force in the thrust direction of the drive shaft 28. Therefore, vehicle floor vibration caused by the forced force in the thrust direction of the drive shaft 28 can be reduced.

[0029] The embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the above is merely one implementation method, and the present invention can be implemented in various ways with modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0030] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures 10: Vehicles 12: Power Source 14: Drive wheels 14L: Left drive wheel 14R: Right drive wheel 16: Power transmission device 18: Shell 20: Countershaft gear mechanism 22: Sub-shaft 24: End-drive gear 26: Differential gear 28 drive shafts 28L: Left drive shaft 28R: Right drive shaft 30: Differential ring gear 32: Differential housing 34L: Left differential side gear 34R: Right differential side gear 36: Differential pinion 38: Pinion shaft 40: Differential shaft section 40L: Left differential shaft section 40R: Right differential shaft section 50: Intermediate shaft 52: First connector 54: Second connector 54a: Outer Circle 56: Wheel axle 58: Wheel hub bearing 60, 62: Protective shield 64: Flange portion 66: Connecting components 70, 80, 90, 100: Elastic components 82: First board 84: Second board 86, 88, 94, 104: Bolts 92: Spring 100: Elastic component 102: Board.

Claims

1. A power transmission device for a vehicle, comprising: The differential gear distributes power from the vehicle's power source to the left and right drive wheels; and The left and right drive shafts are positioned on the power transmission path between the differential gear and the left and right drive wheels. Its features are, The vehicle power transmission device also includes an elastic component, which is disposed on the power transmission path and is clamped between the differential gear or the first component and the drive shaft or the second component. The first component is integrally connected to the differential gear, and the second component is integrally connected to the drive shaft.

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